The Electronic Newsletter of MCC Austin at Freedom Oaks 
| February 9, 2011
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From Your Pastor
 As we began our series on prayer last Sunday, one of the things we acknowledged about public, or leader led prayer, is how often the worship leaders seem to be able to put into words the very things we would articulate if we could. Suddenly, the fear that gnaws at the edges of our consciousness is brought into focus through the prayers of another. The joy that has settled over us in ways that we can smile about but can't really speak to is captured in another's praise. And the sorrows that are too deep for words are finally expressed by the Spirit's movement through another's lament. |
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What's Happening at MCC Austin
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February is Black History Month
This month we will join the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) as they "...present a month long series of Black History profiles focusing upon highly accomplished Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender men and women both past and present."
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Sunday Morning Worship on February 13
9 & 11 a.m.
"My Prayers"
Rev. Karen Thompson
James 5:13-18
Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of God. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and God will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest.
Matthew 6:5-8
"And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to God who is in secret; and God who sees in secret will reward you.
"When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard
Each of the four Sundays in February will focus on a different type of prayer. We hope you'll join us for all four!
Feb 13 - My Prayers
Feb 20 - Jesus' Prayers
Feb 27 - Answered and Unanswered Prayers
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ASL interpretation for the 11 a.m. worship service is available upon request. For more information, please email Courtney Webster.
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Black History Month Jewel of the Week:
Pam Spaulding
In the blogosphere, success is often judged by the quality of the opposition.By this standard and many others, Pam Spaulding, creator of the influential LGBT political blog Pam's House Blend (née July 2004), is on top of her game.Ex-gay "Christian" activist James Hartline called Spaulding "a twisted lesbian sister and an embittered lesbian of the self-imposed guttural experiences of the gay ghetto."On the so-called "Concerned Women for America" radio show, Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth Against Homosexuality called Spaulding "a vicious anti-Christian lesbian activist."
Ouch! Spaulding might well look at this, blush and say, "I've done my job!" Read more...
Also check out: "Snatch(ing) our humanity out of the fire of human cruelty" A History of the Black LGBT Movement
by Sylvia Rhue, Ph.D.
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Journey Retreat
Due to inclement weather this retreat has been postponed until Saturday April 16.
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 Transgender Basics Plus workshop
Saturday, February 19, 2011
At MCC Austin from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join Metropolitan Community Church of Austin and Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT) as we jointly host Transgender Basics Plus workshop. The workshop will explore the many challenges faced by the transgender community, provide an opportunity to celebrate and share stories of transgender lives and experience. This workshop is free and lunch will be provided for a $5 donation. Please register by February 10 with Courtney Webster by phone at 512-291-8601 or by email. If you need additional information about the workshop, please contact MJ Allen by email.
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Soul Connections Group Event
Join members of Soul Connection for an evening at the theater.
When: Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 7:45 p.m.
Where: Zach Scott Theater
What: Red Hot Patriot: The kick ass wit of Molly Ivins starring
Barbara Chisholm
Cost: $37.00
For reservations email Toni Lucus on or before Friday, February 18. |
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 New Online Group Study:
The Book of God: The Bible as a Novel
This is an ongiong study, please join in at any time.
Can't make it to church during the week for class due to work schedule or travel? Live too far from church to make it back during the week? Want to read the Bible but get stuck not long after you start? We have a new study group just for you!
We are starting an ongoing online study group that will read Walter Wangerin, Jr.'s The Book of God together. It will begin the week of Monday, February 7. Each week we'll read a chapter together and then share reflections in a private Facebook group. Pastor Alycia Erickson will facilitate the study and Facebook group. A limited number of books will be available for purchase through the church for $15 each (normally $19.99). [There's only one copy left!] If you would like to join the group, please email or "friend" Pastor Alycia and request to join the group. Please note: you must have a Facebook account to participate in this study. You can join this study at any time.
More about The Book of God (from the bookflap):
Here is the story of the Bible from beginning to end as you've never ead it before--told with exciting detail and passionate energy. [It] reads like a fine novel, bringing a wise a beautiful rendering of the Bible, retold by masterful storyteller Walter Wangerin, Jr. Wangerin recreates the high drama, low comedy, gentle humor, and awesome holiness of the Bible story. Imaginative, yet meticulously research, The Book of God offers a sweeping history that stretches across thousands of years and hundreds of lives, in cultures foreign and yet familiar in their common humanity. History and fact take on personality and warmth....Gardens, humble homes, olive groves, palaces, temples, and the hills of Judea shining in the afternoon sun--Wangerin makes the places where the events of the Bible tool place come to life in the imagination.
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 Spiritual Pride Project 2011
April 1-3, 2011
The Spiritual Pride Project is offering a weekend camp retreat as a safe, accepting and loving community where GLBTQIA (Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Question Intersex and Allies) youth can discuss how their sexuality and spirituality are beautiful gifts from God. We will accompany each other on the faith journey as we celebrate and struggle with our faith, family, friends, school, relationships, and everything in between. This is still camp after all, so we will enjoy God's creation and have a blast sharing our creative talents, playing games, and challenging each other. All People of all belief backgrounds are welcome! Our very own Pastor Alycia will be participating as staff at this retreat.
When: April 1-3, 2011
Cost: $90 General Registration (ends March, 1 2011) Registration includes all housing, meals, and programming [MCC Austin has scholarships available. Please contact Pastor Alycia in the office (512) 291-8601 or by email for details.]
Where: The camp is located at Lutherhill in LaGrange, TX
Who can attend: There are three tracks this year:
- GLBTQI Youth, grades 6-12
- Young Adults ages 18-25 who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or intersex and straight allies,
- Youth who identify as Allies, grades 6-12 who would like to learn from and support GLBTQI youth.
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 People of African Descent Conference
2011 MCC Conference for:
People of African Descent, Our Friends and Allies
Loving Ourselves into Liberation
19-21 May 2011
The Fairmont in Washington, DC
Since 1998, the MCC Conference for People of African Descent, Our Friends and Allies has been a landmark MCC event. While being firmly rooted in the African-American cultural experience, the MCC PAD Conference is for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, or nationality.
The 2011 PAD Conference theme LOVING OURSELVES INTO LIBERATION reflects our commitment to continue our rise from victimhood to victory and to lift others as we climb. To inform and empower us to reach higher heights, workshops and keynote speakers will focus on physical, political, and spiritual health and wholeness. Worship will inspire us to celebrate the fullness of who we are and to embrace the fullness of who God has liberated us to be.
The Chair of the 2011 PAD Conference is Rev. Candy Holmes. The Planning Committee includes conference hosts representing MCC and The Fellowship congregations in the Washington, DC area and volunteers from across the United States. The Human Rights Campaign is also working with us to offer you the largest and most powerful PAD Conference experience to date.
You will not want to miss the 2011 PAD Conference.
Register now by Clicking Here!
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 PRIDE 2011 Planning Committee
Once again it's time to represent our church in the larger community! Calling all individuals who would like to participate in the planning, presentation and representation of MCC Austin at this year's Annual PRIDE Parade and Festival. You won't want to miss being a part of this! For more information or to sign up, please contact Courtney Webster by email or in the church office.
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Our Prayers...
- For our Finance Team as they continue their work on our refinance and loan proposals.
- For the people in Egypt as they struggle toward democracy.
- For our Building Team and General Contractor as they finalize building plans for our new building.
- For our GLBT brothers and sisters around the world who live in fear of violence and discrimination because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
- For all who have no shelter, heat or food today.
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BEYOND OUR WALLS: MCC News From Around the World
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Presiding Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches Appointed To U.S. Presidential Advisory Council
The Reverend Elder Nancy Wilson, Presiding Moderator of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, was today named by President Barack Obama to serve on the White House Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Read more...
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News from our denomination.
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News from MCC churches arround the world.
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BEYOND OUR WALLS: News & Community Events
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Alzheimer's Association
Brown Bag Information Sessions:
Lots of Learning, Little Time
Are you a caregiver who is looking to expand their knowledge, but has limited time to spare? Grab your lunch and join us the 1st Friday of the month for a Brown Bag Information Session from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm. Contact (512) 241-0420 or email TXPrograms@TXAlz.org to register. All Chapter programs are free of charge. Held at 3429 Executive Center Drive, Hubbard Bldg., Suite 100, Austin, TX 78731.
March 4
Driving and Aging Issues
Presented by Jennifer Perez Del Rio, Senior Occupational Therapist
at St. David's Rehabilitation Center
April 1
Planning and Paying for Long Term Care
Presented by Kyle Barker of New York Life
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Goodwill GoodGuides™ Youth Mentoring Program
Be the Change You Want to See in the World!
The GoodGuides™ program is part of a national initiative by Goodwill Industries International and funded by a grant from the Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
The program is designed to promote opportunity and positive choices for youth who are at risk for delinquency and contact with the juvenile justice system. By engaging youth in positive activities with adults who are strong role models, youth receive the encouragement and support they need to maximize their potential. For more information click here.
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TENT Announces New Leadership
New Board of Directors brings TENT to new horizons
AUSTIN - On Saturday, January 22, 2011 the TENT board voted on a change in leadership structure to better meet current organizational needs. The new approach will center around a board governed organization with former staff functionality performed by Katy Stewart. Day to day operations will be performed by the chair with other duties delegated to board members. Focus for the new board will be on building organizational capacity through fundraising, network and collaboration with other non profits, expansion of the board member footprint to reflect more areas of Texas, and internal training. Reflective of the new board changes, Oliver Blummer of Dallas will be serving as Vice-Chair to the organization. Oliver brings a wealth of organizational know how to the board having been a board member on Youth First Texas. Lisa Scheps, the outgoing Executive Director and Ex-office member of the Board said, "I am more than excited about this change in leadership and structure. Katy and Oliver, along with the rest of the Board, have a vision for TENT that will grow the organization and extend the reach of education about issues surrounding Gender Diverse Texans. I couldn't be more thrilled!"
Katy Stewart, new board chair, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to TENT. Having been a community educator and GLBT activist in Bryan/College Station, Texas for the past decade she brings those skills to bear with formalized training in Nonprofit Management from the Texas A&M George Bush School of Government and Public Service where she received a professional certificate in Non Profit Management with a concentration in Fundraising and Philanthropy. Her hopes for the future are to enable TENT to become an organization with 2-3 paid full time staff serving the fundamental educational needs about gender diverse people across the state in corporate, interpersonal, public, and legal settings.
For more information about Transgender Education Network of Texas' mission and new board, email info@transtexas.org or visit: www.transtexas.org
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Gospel Fest at TEXAS STATE University
Featuring Twinkie Clark
Saturday, February 26 from 6-7 p.m.
Gospel Expression Association annual Gospel Fest,
featuring Twinkie Clark at 6 p.m. in the Alkek Teaching Theater.
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AIDS Services of Austin Presents: Viva Las Vegas
Saturday, March 5 from 8:00 - 11:30 p.m.
At The Austin Music Hall
208 Nueces St. Austin, TX 78701
You are invited to have a Knock-Out Good Time at Viva Las Vegas, benefiting AIDS Services of Austin and its Capital Area AIDS Legal Project. Savor food from Austin's most Epicurean restaurants, admire the Viva Past vs. Future juried fashion show with celebrity judges, play hard at faux gambling, and win big at the expansive silent auction while taking in the sounds of DJ Orion and the sight of spectacular entertainment. Purchase your tickets today at asaustin.org/viva or at BookPeople
$50 Early Bird Online through February 16
$65 Advance
$75 Door
For more information contact AIDS Services of Austin by email or
at (512)458-2437
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 E-Link Submissions
If you have information to share through our E-Link, please email it to the editor no later than Monday evening of the week you would like it published.
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Quick Links
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Pastor's Message
Barbara Brown Taylor, now known as one of the United States' clearest theological voices, has shared that she fell in love with God long before she possessed any language for her experience. She finally found that language when she attended an Episcopal worship service for the first time. The prayers and liturgy she heard from the priest and other worship leaders finally expressed how she had long felt about God but had no words for.
When I run across something that captures in words what I've found to be inexpressible, I always share it with you in one form or another. Today, I want to share with you a portion of a poem written by Wendell Berry for his wife. It's beautiful, and it's also timely since we're only a handful of days from Valentine's Day.
Many of you will read this poem and understand it as a celebration of human love, eager love calmed by years and softened by familiarity. It is certainly that. But read it again, and this time let the poem speak to you of your relationship with God.
Sometimes hidden from me
in daily custom and in trust,
so that I live by you unaware
as by the beating of my heart,
suddenly you flare in my sight,
a wild rose blooming at the edge
of thicket, grace and light
where yesterday was only shade,
And once again I am blessed, choosing
again what I chose before.
Ahhhh. I couldn't have said it better myself.
Be Blessed,
Rev. Karen Thompson
Sr. Pastor
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